New York Giants Football: Ranking the five worst head coaches in franchise history

4.) Bill Arnsparger 1974-1976

Given the fact that McVay is credited with making one of the worst coaching decisions in NFL history, coupled with his utter lack of success for two and a half seasons as head coach, it is difficult to believe that the New York Giants were actually worse off prior to his hiring, but that was the case under Head Coach Bill Arnsparger.

Arnsparger was hired as the head coach of the Giants following his success as the defensive coordinator for the 1972 Super Bowl champion Miami Dolphins. Arnsparger would gain notoriety by leading the “No-Name Defense” of the Dolphins to elite status during their undefeated championship season. Following the 1972 season, Arnsparger would serve as the assistant head coach to Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula, before being hired as the Giants Head Coach prior to the 1974 season.

Arnsparger’s success with the Dolphins would fail to translate with the Giants, as he would win a total of seven games during his tenure in New York. He would coach the team to a  2-12 record in 1974 and a 5-9 record in 1975. After beginning the 1976 season 0-7, giving way to McVay.

Amassing a record of 7-28 through parts of three season certainly warrants Ansparger being named to the list of worst coaches in Giants franchise history, as his ‘leadership’ massively contributed to the lean decade of football that was the 70’s for Big Blue.